Magazine stripping machine



March 18, 19.52 c. A. COBB 2,589,673

MAGAZINE STRIPPING MACHINE:

Filed June 2, 1949 4 Shef.=,ts-Shee'fl l BY M ZW@ AGENT March 18, 1952 c. A. COBB MAGAZINE STRIPPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 2. 1949 INVENTOR: CLIFTON A. COBB M {wf/M AGENT.

March 18, 1952 c. A. COBB MAGAZINE STRIPPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 2, 1949 INVENTOR; .CLIFTON A. COBB AGENT March 18, 1952 Filed June 2, 1949 C. A. COBB MAGAZINE STRIPPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 CLIFTON A. COBB BY M Wt AGENT.

Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,589,673 MAGAZINE!v STRYIPPING MACHINE Clifton A. Cobb, University City, Mo. Application J 2, 1949, Serial No. 96,788 l CIMM (CL 164-61) This invention relates to a machine for detach.- ing a cover or rsi; sheet from magazines or other soft cover periodicals.

A customary business arrangement for the distribution and sale of periodicals usually called magazines includes the crediting of distributors for returned unsold copies. In order to reduce shipping and handling costs it is common practice to return for credit only an identifying portion ciV the magazine such as, the first sheet or front cover.

In the present invention I have provided a generally new and improved machine for rapidly detaching and separating the front covers or first sheets from soft cover publications and for counting and stacking these detached portions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which functions automatically to detach and separate from a magazine, its front cover, to count and stack such detached covers, and to eject and convey the remainder of the magazine to a desired point.

' Another object of the invention is to provide in a machine of this character, an automatically' operated stop feed means which acts to interrupt the feed between each magazine successively lfed to the machine until the preceding magazinefed thereto has been successfully processed to the point of counting the detached cover.

Another object is to provide a machine of this character which automatically adjusts itself to receive and dependably processv magazines of varying thickness.

Another object is to provide in a machine of this character a generally new and improved rotary type vacuum pickup device which is positive and dependable in its action to pick up a single sheet or cover and which is economical' and quiet in its operation.

Another object is to provide a machine oi this character which is simple in operation, ruggedly constructed, and conveniently movable to the various magazine stock piles.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent upon perusal of the following complete description and upon reference to the accom-f panying drawings.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan View ofa magazine stripping machine constructed in accordance with they principles of the present invention; j

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation o! the machine shown in Fig. 1, the view being taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig- 3 iS an enlarged longitudinal `sectional 1 u bers 39 which Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view in part taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the vacuum pick up control valve; and

Fig. 7 isy a diagram of the electrical control system for the automatic operation of the machine elements of the machine being indicated thereron by corresponding numerals.

The machine has a frame structure generally indicated at I0 which comprises four upright members or posts II, four lower horizontal angle members I2, four lower horizontal tie bars I3, a bottom support plate I4, a top plate or platten I5, and four side plates or cover plates I6. The foregoing frame members are suitably connected ask by welding. The frame is provided with four swivelled casters Il suitably mounted on the lower end of the vertical members II, whereby the machine may be conveniently rolled into suitable positions for feeding from various magazine stock piles.

Supported on the lowerA plate member' I4, is an electricY motor I8, having a driving shaft I9, and a. vacuumpump 20 having a crank shaft 2I The motor shaft I9 which rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 has a pulley 2Ia keyed thereto, and the vacuum pump shaft 2| has a pul'- ley 22 keyed thereto. The pulley 22 is driven by the pulley 2 Ia through a belt 23. A vacuum reservoir 24 isprovided having a conduit connection 25 with the vacuum pump. The reservoir 24 is suitably connected to and supported by the frame members. The vacuum pump 20 and the motor I8 may be insulated from the frame member I4 by suitable resilient pads 26 and 21 in order to reduce` vibration and noise.

VMounted on the underside of the platten I5 and at one side thereof are two sets of bearings 28-28 and 29-2 9a in which are journalled the shafts 30 and 3l respectively of the work conveyor. Mounted on these shafts between their bearings for rotation with the shafts are V-type pulleys 32 and 33 respectively. These pulleys 32 and 33 are fitted with a V-belt 34 which serves as a work conveyor belt. Mounted on the rear or right side of the machine, in Fig. 2, are a pair of brackets 35', which support at their ends a pair o! bearings 36 in which is journalled a shaft 31 of the magazine disposal conveyor, generally indicated at 38. The conveyor 38 further comprises a frame having a pair of longitudinal memare perforated at both ends and fitted with suitable bearings which receive the shaft 31 at their inner ends and which receive and journal a second conveyor shaft 46 at their outer ends. The frame members 39 are spaced near their inner and outer ends by transverse members 4I and 42 respectively which are rigidly connected thereto as by welding.

The disposal conveyor shafts 31 and 46 are tted with wide rollers 43 and 44 respectively for rotation therewith and a wide disposal conveyor belt 45 is fitted over these rollers. One end of the shaft 31 has keyed thereto a drive .port 16, see Fig. 6, which communicates with "vacuum reservoir 24 through va conduit 11. The

pulley 46, see Fig. l. It will be apparent that the outer end of the disposal conveyor may bei swung up or down about the shaft 31, and a pair of adjustable supports 41, having telescoping portions 48, and set screws 49, are provided to position and support the outer end of the con- 4 This device comprises a rotary valve housing 12, see Fig. l, and a split bearing 12a which is carried on the outer end of a pivoted arm 13. The arm 13 is pivotally mounted on a pivot 14 which is supported in a cast support standard 15. There is a sleeve or liner 12b which is rigidly clamped in the split bearing 12a. and which extends into the valve housing 12. The sleeve 12b is also tightly pressed into the valve housing 12. The le'faring '12a and valve yhousing 12 are thereby rigidly connected. The valve housing 12 has a the .ccmduit 1 1 has at least a portion of its length which is flexible as indicated at 18, so as to permitr the valve housing 12 to swing up and down with the pivoted arm 13. The vacuum pick up device further includes a hollow shaft 19 which has veyor at the desired elevation. For convenience f in shipment or storage the brackets 35 are rernovablyA attached to the uprights II by suitable screws '59 whereby the entire disposal conveyor assembly may be detached from the .machine..

.Y Mounted on the outer end. of the workgconveyor shaft 3| and keyed thereto, is a drive pulley I, see Figs. 4 and 5. There is a pedestal bearing 52 mounted on the lower support plate I4 which journals a shaft 53 having keyedV thereto a relatively small pulley 54. The work conveyor drive pulley 5I and the disposal conveyor drive pulley 46 are driven by this pulley 54 through va belt 55; Also keyed to the shaft v53 is a relatively large pulley 56;,and there is a small pulley 51 keyed to the vacuum pump shaft which drives thisv pulley 56 through a belt 58. It 4will be seenV therefore that the work conveyor and disposal conveyor are driven by the motor I8 through the vacuum pump shaft 2| and the intermediate shaftv 53 which is journalled in the pedestal bearing 5I. A springtensioned idler pulley. 69 pivoted at 66 and having a tension spring 6I, is provided to suitably tension the V-belt 55.

i There is a narrow rectangular opening 62 in the platten I5 extending longitudinally,thereofv and-aty oneside thereof through which the upper surface ofthe `work conveyor belt 34 projects slightlyv 'ahOl/ e the surface vof the platten, see Figs. A1 and 3; Slidably mounted for vertical. movement; 1in' a cast standard 63, which.. is mounted on the platten I5 and at one side. there# of is a b,earing 64, in which is journalled Sonej end;of,acutter shaft 65. Mounted Qn'shaft'I 65. foiiotation therewith'is a circular saw type' cutter blade-'6 6 and adjacent ,thereto and also mountedon vshaft 65 vfor rotation therewith' isla'. disc,6 1.just slightly smaller in diameter than; themcutter blade. Disc 61 positively limitsthe depthof cut of theblade 66 under all conditions.' The cutter blade 66 is mounted so as to just miss: thelwork'conveyor belt 34 but is within the rectangular opening 62. The cutter blade. shaft 65H extends across the platten and is journalle'dat its other end near the other side ofthe plattenv in ajxed bearingV 69 which is mounted on the.l platten.- Thev ycutter shaft 65' consistsof two sections connected by a flexible coupling 69near the bearing 68 which permits the rise and fall of the shaft at the other end together withthe cutter bladev and the vertically sliding v.bearing 64. o A portion of shaft B5 extends beyond the bearing 68 and has keyed thereto a pulley 69a which is driven by a pulley 16 keyed 'to 'the'y motor shaft I9 through a belt 1I. i

To the .right of the cutter 66, in Figs. 2 and'3,' there; is positioned a vacuum Vpickup' device.l

an le'nlarged cylindrical portion 80 at one end fitted into vthe sleeve 12b within the valve housing 12.-,'asfindicated in Fig. 6 The enlarged cylindrical, por tion 80 forms a rotary valve and is provided with a radial port 8| which, when the valve is incertain positions establishes communication between the port 16 and a passage 82 extending longitudinally of the shaft 19. When the valve is in another position the port 8l closesroi communication between port 16 and passage 82 and vents the passage 82 by establishing communication with a vent shown at 8 Ia.

Mounted on the other end of the shaft 19 and perpendicular thereto by means of an end fitting 83V and a short nipple 84, is a soft rubber bell shaped pick up -cup 85. The cup is in communication with the passage 82 as indicated and is arranged to oscillate with its open end engag ing.A the upper surface of a magazine as it approaches the bottom of its arc of travel. Near theinner journallecl end of the shaft 19 there is mounted thereon for rotation therewith a drive disc86 having a portion of its periphery serrated or toothed as indicated at 81, and having an idler wheel 86 mounted on a shaft 89 supported thereby-. v The disc 86 is secured'to a flange 66a Y which. is suitably fixed on the shaft 19. The

drive disc 36 Yis adapted to be engaged by the upper surface of a magazine as it is being conveyed l by the .work conveyor and is rotated thereby in a counterclockwise direction. A spring 9 9, see Fig. l, normally urges the drive discand shaft 19 in a clockwise direction.

Toward. the front or left side of the machine, Figs. 2 and 3, there is a hold down roller 93, mountedfor rotationon the free end of an arm 9iVA which arm pivotally mounted at 92 on the cast standard 63. The roller 93 is arranged substantially iopposite to the work conveyor pulley 312 and normally rests on the work conveyor belt 34. Toward the rear of the machine there is a pulley 94, rotatably mounted on the end of one legv of abell .crank 95 which bell crank is pivo .tailyA mounted at 96 in the bracket 15. yAdjacent to the pulley 94 thereis a pulley 91 mounted for rotation with a shaft 98 which has one end journalled in the bracket 15. The pulleys 94 and 91 are connected .by a belt 99. The belt 99 is arranged to contact the upper surface of a' magazine as indicated in Fig. 3, whereby it is driven by the conveyedmagazine and in turn drives the pulleys 94 and 91 and the shaft 98 in a direction as indicated by arrows. There is a pair of backing l'rollers IUI' and I02 arranged opposite' and belowthe cutter wheel 66 andthe vacuum pick up drive disc at 86 respectively. BackingV rollers Il'and H12 are mounted for rotation lon shafts There is an arm |09 pivoted at ||0 in the rear bracket which extends toward the front of the machine to a free end and which has connected thereto by links II|, ||2 and ||3, the vacuum pick up arm 13, the vertical sliding bearing 64, and the pivoted hold down roller 93, respectively. These elements therefore are raised and lowered together for a reason to be explained hereinafter.

To the right of the pick up device, is arranged a triangular shaped deilector or separator |I'4 which extends substantially the width of the platten and has its leading edge forward so as to separate the detached magazine cover from the magazine as it is lifted therefrom by the pick up cup 85. The shaft, 98 extends across the platten and is journalled at its other end in a bearing ||5, see Fig. 1, which is mounted on the platten. Mounted on the shaft 98 for rotation therewith is a contact roller I6 and immediately below and in contact with roller I I 8 is a smaller companion contact roller ||1 which is held resiliently against the roller l by a resilient blade ||8 which is attached to the deilector ||4 at ||9 and which carries a shaft on which the roller ||1 is mounted. The resilient blade ||3 is insulated from the deflector 4 as indicated at |I9a. The :1.

contact rollers ||6 and ||1 function as an autof matic release switch and are adapted to be parted thereby to break a circuit at that point by the detached magazine cover as it passes between these rollers. The contact roller IIG is grounded to the machine and the contact roller I I1 is connected to the control circuit to be hereinafter described via the blade I9 and a lead llaa, see Fig. 1.

There is also mounted on the shaft 98 for rotation therewith at approximately its center, a pair of rollers |22 and |23 which are opposed by a. wide roller |24 arranged immediately beneath, see Fig. 1. The lower roller |24 is mounted in a manner similar to that in which the contact roller ||1 is mounted, that is, on a shaft which is carried by a resilient blade |25 attached to the deector |'|4 and which constantly urges the lower roller |24 upward against the rollers |22 and |23. To the rear of the deflector ||4 there is a collector box |26 for receiving the detached magazine covers. There is also an apron |21 provided with rollers |28 for carrying the remainder of the magazine beyond the machine to a point where it will fall upon the disposal conveyor belt. The collector box and apron are supported by side brackets |29. The machine is provided with a conventional industrial counting device indicated at |30, of the type employing a pawl and ratchet and having a shaft which is required to be rotated first in one direction a certain amount and then must be permitted to return oppositely a substantially equal amount for each unit registered. For the actuation of this counting device there is provided a solenoid |3I' having a plunger |32 which is connected to an arm |33 of the counter by a link |34. Upon energization the solenoid actuates the counter arm in one direction to register a unit and upon de-energization the counter is permitted to return, thereby to bein condition to register again upon subsequent energization of the solenoid.

There is also provided a stop feed device located toward the front of the machine and at one side thereof which is generally indicated at |35. The stop feed device comprises a solenoid |36 having a plunger |31. The plunger has a coaxial stop pin |38 extending from its upper end. There is an aperture |39 in the platten I5 through which the pin |38 may be projected upward above the.'

surface of the platten. The plunger |31 is also provided with a downward coaxial extension |40 having a flange |4| on the end thereof. There is a pair of normally open switch contacts |42 and |43 adjacent the projection |49 which are adapted to be engaged and moved to a closed position by the flange |4| as the solenoid plunger is movedl upward. When solenoid |33 is energized the plunger |31 moves upward causing the pin I 38 to project above the surface of the platten thereby 'to interrupt the feeding of magazines to the machine. Also the contacts |42 and I 43 are closed upon energization of the solenoid. In a de-energized position the solenoid plunger rests on the stop |44 as indicated in Fig. 3.

Rearwardly of the stop feed device there is arranged a counter switch generally indicated at |45, having an actuating blade |46 normally projecting above the surface of the platten through an aperture |41, and which is arranged to be engaged by a magazine to depress it and actuate the switch. The switch is normally in open circuit position and is connected by leads |48 and |49 to the control circuit to be described. There is an indicator light |53 and a normally closed hand operated release switch I5| indicated in Fig. l which are connected in the control circuit in a manner and for a purpose to be described. There is a feeding guide bar |52 attached to the top of the platten and extending rearwardly from the front edge thereof. A second adjustable'guide oar |53 is provided which may be adjustably positioned transversely of the platten to accommodate magazines of diiferent width by reason of the provision of transverse slots |54 in the platten in whichthe locking bolts |55 may slide.

Referring to Fig. 7 in which the control circuit diagrammatically shown, there is a line voltage circuit comprising the leads |56 and |51 in which the motor 8 and the primary winding |58 of a step down transformer generally indicated at |59 are connected in parallel. There is also a master control switch interposed in the lead |51. The leads |56 and |51 are connected to a source of electrical energy such as commercial lines, not shown.

There is also indicated a low voltage circuit which includes the secondary winding |6| ofthe transformer |59, a lead |52, the lead |48, the counter switch |45, the lead |49, the stop feed solenoid winding |36, a lead |63, the hand release switch |5I, the lead |I8a, the automatic release switch which comprises the blade I8 and contact rollers ||6 and II1, and the lead |64 to ground. The other side of the transformer secondary winding ISI is also grounded commonly to the machine by a lead 65. Parallel connected across the leads |49 and |83 are the counter actuating solenoid winding |3| and the indicator light |50. There is a normally open shunt |66 around the counter switch |45 which is closed upon energization of the solenoid |36 which acts to close the contacts |42 and |43 as hereinbefore described, thereby to provide a holding circuit irrespective of the operative positiongof counter' switch |45. l Y

Operation To start operation of the machine the master switch |60 is closed, energizing the motor I8 which drives the vacuum pump 20, the cutter blade 66, the work conveyor and the disposal conveyor. The circuit for the transformer primary winding |58 is also completed making available a source of energy for the low voltage circuit. A magazine to be processed is placed on the front portion of the platten between the guide rails |52 and |53 with its bound edge against the guide rail |52. The magazine is then moved rearward until it abuts the roller 93 which it raises sufficiently to pass thereunder, see Fig. 3. In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 the elements of the machine are shown in a raised position as they will be when a'rnagazine is being processed. The fore part of the magazine is then resting on the work conveyor belt 34 which conveys it rearwardly. Upon passing under the roller 93 the magazine immediately thereafter engages with its lower surface the blade |46 of the counter switch |t5, causing this switch to close completing the low voltage circuit The counter actuating solenoid |3| upon energization actuates the counter |36 in one direction. The stop feed solenoid is `also energized. The stop feed pin |33 will however be momentarily prevented from raising until the magazine has passed rearwardly suiciently to permit the plunger |31 to rise. When this does occur however the plunger |31 will rise interposing the stop pin |38 in the path of a succeeding magazine and the switch contacts |42 and |43 will be closed to complete a shunt around the counter switch |45. The magazine after passing over the counter switch |45, next passes under the cutter wheel 66, which due to the relation of the sizes of the pulleys 1|! and 69a travels at a high speed and in a direction as indicated by arrows.

The cutter wheel 66 is spaced a slight distance transversely from the guide rail |52 so that the top cover or sheet will be cut along a line close to its bound edge. The disc 61 mounted alongside of the cutter wheel 66 and which is just slightly smaller in diameter' than the cutterwheel limits the depth of cut so that the magazine cover and one or two top sheets only are detached. The magazine as it continues rearwardly next passes under the drive Vdisc 86 of the vacuum pick up device. In Fig. 3, theY disc 8S is shown rotated counterclockwise to its limit in which position it will be moved after a sufficient amount of the magazine has passed under it. The position which it normally assumes, however, due to the return spring 9D is indicated in Fig. 2.

As the magazine passes under the disc 85 its upper surface is engaged by the serrated periphery of the disc which causes the disc to be rotated counterclockwise.' As this occurs the bell shaped soft rubber pick up cup is swung into engagement with the top cover or sheet of the magazine and is strongly held thereto by vacuum. As the magazine continues to move rearward the top cover or sheet is lifted therefrom as the cup 85 swings upward in its arc, and at the point shown in Fig. 3 the cover or top sheet is released due to the vacuum being cut off as indicated in Fig. 6 and thegfore end of the cover or sheet is dropped on the upper inclined surface ofthe deflector H4. It will be understood that the top sheet or cover isl only partially detached along its bound edge at this point and as the magazine continues rearward the top cover is entered between the revolving rollers H6, |22, |23 and the lower tensioned idler rollers |1 and I 24. As the drive disc 86 and the pick up cup 85 are rotated to the position shown, the idler wheel 88 contacts the upper surface of the magazine and the drive disc 86 therefore is not rotated any further in a counterclockwise direction. As soon as the entire magazine has passed under the disc 86 it will immediately return clockwise to the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the valve port 8| assumes the position shown dotted in Fig. 6 and in which position communication between the vacuum reservoir 24 and the pick up cup 85 is again cut oii.

As the top cover or sheet passes between the rollers ||6 and ||1 which are the contactsof the automatic release switch, the low voltage circuit is broken at this point permitting'the stop feed plunger |33 to drop below the surface of the platten and permitting the counter to be returned to condition for registering the next unit. The velocity of the rollers ||6, |22 and |23 is such that 'the covers after they are completely detached are carried over the deector anddeposited and neatly stacked in the collector box |26. The remainder of the magazine continues rearward passing under the pulley 94 from where it is pushed out on the rollers of the inclined apron |21 and thence falls on the dis-A posal conveyor belt 38 to be carried to a suitable elevation for deposit on a stock pile or Vin any suitable containers.

The purpose of the stop feed mechanism and the holding shunt around the counter switch is to insure a break between the magazines fed to the machine so as to permit the complete cycle of the counter to take place and to permit the pick up device to return. Also in the event a magazine is fed to the machine having a folded or mutilated cover or top sheet which will not pass through the contact rollers ||6 and ||1, feeding is stopped until such magazine cover is removed. In such instances the counter and stop feed mechanism may be released by the hand release switch 15|. In normal operation the indicator light |56 will light up as the magad zine is fed in and closes the counter switch |45 and will go out when the cover passes through the contact rollers H6 and ||1 thus continuously signalling the operator that the machine is functioning properly and that the detached covers are being properly counted.

. It will be noted, as a magazine is fed between the hold down roller 93 and the work conveyor -belt that the arm |59 will be raised at its outer end and that the vertically sliding bearing 64 which carries the cutter vblade and shaft and the pick up device will also be raised just slightly less than the thickness of the magazine being fed due to the lever arm lengths. This arrangement provides for the slight pressure desired between the surface of the magazine and the cutter wheel and drive disc due to the weight of these interconnected parts which results in smooth operation and avoids the abrupt jarring action which would otherwise occur if a relatively thickl magazine being processed were to raise the cutter wheel and drive disc separately. It will be obvious that magazines of wide variation in thickness Ymay be processed due to this arrangement.

The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, not limiting, vthe scope of the invention being set forth in the appended claims. i

9 I claim: 1. In a magazine stripping machine, a horizontal platen having a front and rear portion, a slitting blade mounted above said platen and arranged to cut the top cover of a magazine arc parallel to the direction of travel of sardi-v conveyor, whereby the upper surface of a magapine on said platen will be contacted thereby at the low point of its arc and whereby the detached magazine cover portion will be lifted from the remainder of the magazine as said contact element swings upward, and a V-shaped deflector positioned rearward of said vacuumV vpick up device and having its leading edge forward for separating the detached cover from the remainder of the magazine.

2. In a magazine stripping machine in conibination, a slitting blade, guide and conveyor means for feeding a magazine past said slitting blade such wise that one cover thereof is slit along its bound edge, a vacuum pick up device positioned adjacent said blade having a pivoted contacting element adapted to swing into engagement with the detached magazine cover an'l then away, thereby to separate the detached cover from the magazine, a deflector positioned adjacent said pick up device and arranged to deflect the detached cover, and means adapted to be engaged by the conveyed magazine for oscillating said contact element in one direction, and spring means for returning said contact element.

3. In a magazine stripping machine, a substantially horizontal platen having a forward and rear edge, a rotary slitting cutter mounted above said platen and adapted to slit the top cover of a magazine when the magazine is placed on saidplaten and passed under said cutter, said cutter being slidably mounted for vertical adjustment, means normally urging said cutter in a downward direction, a stop member movable with said cutter and arranged to bear on the surface of a magazine closely adjacent the cutting edge of said cutter for accurately gauging the depth of cut, and means positioned forward of said cutter and engaged by a magazine as it is fed rearward toward said cutter for raising said cutter and said stop member to a height above said platen which is slightly less than the thickness of the magazine being fed.

4. In a magazine stripping machine, a Substantially horizontal platen having a forward and rear edge, a rotary slitting cutter mounted above said platen, a shaft for said cutter, a journal for said shaft, said journal being slidably mounted for vertical movement and being normally in its lowermost position due to gravity, a roller forward of said cutter', said roller being carried on the free end of a horizontal pivoted arm and normally resting on the surface of said platen, a horizontal lever pivoted at a point rearwardly of said cutter and having a connection with the free end of said arm and with said vertically sliding journal whereby said cutter will be raised an amount less than the thickness of 10 a magazine as the magazine is fed rearwardly under said roller.

5. In a magazine stripping machine in conibination, a slitting blade, guide and conveyor '-means for feeding a magazine past said slitting blade such wise that one cover thereof is slit along its bound edge, a vacuum pick up device positioned adjacent said blade having a pivoted contact element adapted to swing into engagement with the detached magazine cover and 'then away so as to separate it from the magazine, deflector means adjacent said pick up device for deilecting a detached magazine cover, a source of suction, communicating means between said contact element and said source of suction, valve means for controlling said cornmunicating means, means adapted to be enr-gaged by a conveyed magazine for oscillating said contact element and for moving said valve Ameans in one direction, and spring means for returning said contact element and valve means in an opposite direction, said valve means being operative to establish communication between said source of vacuum andsaid contact element 'when in an intermediate position and operative to cut off communication therebetween as it approaches both eXtreme positions.

6. In a machine of the class described, a platen, a. horizontal endless conveyor belt having a pair of end pulleys mounted below said platen and having its upper length projecting through an elongated slot in said platen so that the upper surface thereof is slightly above the surface ol said platen, means for driving said conveyor, a guide rail parallel with said conveyor belt, a rotary slitting cutter mounted above said conveyor belt and adjacent said guide rail for slitting the top cover of a magazine along its bound edge when said magazine is placed on said conveyor with its bound edge against said guide rail, an oscillating pick up device pivotally mounted above said conveyor belt for lifting the detached cover from said magazine, a deector adjacent said piel; up device having an inclined surface diver-ging upwardly from said conveyor, a pair of meeting rollers for conveying the detached magazine cover upwardly along the inclined surface of said delector, and means having frictional engagement with said conveyor belt for driving said rollers.

7. In a magazine stripping machine, a frame structure, a table on said structure, means for conveying a magazine placed flatly thereon across said table and beyond one edge thereof, cutting means mounted above said table and arranged to slit the top cover of a magazine along its bound edge as it is conveyed thereby, means mounted above said table and adjacent said cutter having a suction contact element arranged to engage a detached magazine cover and to lift it therefrom as magazine is conveyed thereby, receptacle means for receiving detached magazine covers, a second conveyor arranged to receive stripped magazines as they drop from said table and for conveying them to a remote point, a vacuum pumping device supported in said frame and a prime mover supported in said frame for driving both of said conveyors and said vacuum pump.

8. In a magazine stripping machine, a platen, means for conveying a magazine across said platen, a magazine guide rail extending across said platen, a slitting blade mounted for vertical adjustment above said platen and adjacent said guide rail whereby the top cover of a magazine is slit along its bound edge when the .bound edge of a magazine is placed against said guide rail, a rotary vacuum pick up device mounted for vertical adjustment above said platen and immediately posterior to said slitting blade whereby the detached upper magazine cover will be lifted from the magazine as the pick up device rotates away from the magazine surface, and a decctor member posterior to said lpick up device for deflecting the detached magazine cover, said deflector having a surface diverging upward from' saidplaten and having a forward leading edge immediately posterior to said pick up device and spaced above said platen suciently to permit the remainder of the magazine to pass there- `linder.

9. In a machine of the kind described, a horizontal belt conveyor, means for driving said con veyor, a guide rail parallel with said conveyor, a

slitting cutter mounted for vertical adjustment above said conveyor and adjacent said guide rail.

whereby the top cover of a magazine is slit along its bound edge when placed on said conveyor with its bound edge against said guide rail, a rotary vacuum pick up device mounted for vertical adjustment above said conveyor and posteriorv passing of the remainder of the magazine thereunder.

10. In a machine of the kind described, a horizontal conveyor, means for driving said conveyor, a vertically movable slitting cutter mounted above said conveyor, a vertically movable rotary vacuum pick up device mounted above said conveyor and posterior to said slitting cutter, and a vertically movable lifting roller mounted above said conveyor and anterior to said slitting cutter, said lifting roller, said slitting cutter and said rotary vacuum pick up device being connected so as to move vertically together and being normally biased in vtheir lowermost positions, whereby said 'slitting cutter and said pick up device are lifted above the conveyor an amount proportionate to the thickness of the magazine as a magazine is fed between said lifting roller and said conveyor.

CLIFTON A. COBB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,769,714 Putt July 1, 1930l 2,089,803 Kohler Aug. 10, 1937 2,347,254 Cox Apr. 25, 1944 2,486,117 Clark Oct. 25, 1949 2,497,149 Berdis et al. Feb. 14, 1950 

